- artificial
- [[t]ɑ͟ː(r)tɪfɪ̱ʃ(ə)l[/t]]
1) ADJ Artificial objects, materials, or processes do not occur naturally and are created by human beings, for example using science or technology.
...a wholefood diet free from artificial additives, colours and flavours...
The city is dotted with small lakes, natural and artificial...
He did not want his life to be prolonged by artificial means.
Syn:Ant:Derived words:artificially ADV usu ADV with v, also ADV adj...artificially sweetened lemonade.
...drugs which artificially reduce heart rate.
2) ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n An artificial state or situation exists only because someone has created it, and therefore often seems unnatural or unnecessary.Even in the artificial environment of an office, our body rhythms continue to affect us...
He foresaw an open society without artificial barriers of background, religion or race.
Derived words:artificiality [[t]ɑ͟ː(r)tɪfɪ̱ʃiælɪti[/t]] N-UNCOUNT oft N of n...another example of the capriciousness and artificiality of our adversarial system of justice.
artificially ADV-GRADED ADV adj, ADV with v...state subsidies that have kept retail prices artificially low.
3) ADJ-GRADED (disapproval) If you describe someone or their behaviour as artificial, you disapprove of them because they pretend to have attitudes and feelings which they do not really have.The voice was patronizing and affected, the accent artificial.
Derived words:artificiality N-UNCOUNT oft N of n...the novel's use of homosexuality to suggest the artificiality of all relationships in that nervous city.
4) ADJ-GRADED If you say that food tastes or looks artificial, you do not like it because its taste or appearance does not seem genuine, and seems to be created by added substances.The meat was chewy and the sauce was glutinous and tasted artificial.
...complaints that their tinned peas were an artificial shade of green.
English dictionary. 2008.
